You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

I think I posted it earlier this year, I had a 2 second delay in very cold weather when shifting from reverse back to drive after backing out of my garage in the morning. I found out there was a technical service bulletin from BMW that required the transmission computer to have specific memory locations programmed like a patch (not a s/w upgrade but to write new factory parameters in memory).
Dealier applied this and the delay went away - this fix applied specifically to the VIN# and model year - GM steptronic, June 03 manufacturing date.

My dad's 325i makes the clunk noise when hes parked on a slope and puts the car in 'P', then puts up the handbrake. A lot of the strain from the slope is put on the tranny and not the handbrake by doing this; so I always tell him to put it in neutral first, put up the handbrake and let go of the brake, then put it in park - that way, no weight is straining the tranny. It goes in reverse very smoothly afterwards.... just a thought!

My dad's 325i makes the clunk noise when hes parked on a slope and puts the car in 'P', then puts up the handbrake. A lot of the strain from the slope is put on the tranny and not the handbrake by doing this; so I always tell him to put it in neutral first, put up the handbrake and let go of the brake, then put it in park - that way, no weight is straining the tranny. It goes in reverse very smoothly afterwards.... just a thought!

I always do that but, this happens anytime... normal weather, cold weather, no hill, etc.

If you are getting a clunk when you put it in reverse, why would you assume its the tranny fluid??? I mean, if it was the tranny fluid, wouldn't you have more "clunking" noises while driving and its shifting gears?

If it only happens when you go into reverse, then I suspect something more physical like the tranny than then fluid.

If I am way off base, then I'll crawl back in to the hole I came from. :p

Auto trannies should not have their oil changed unless it's opened up for another reason.

That is completely wrong. Auto tranny fluid should be changed in regular intervals no different than, oil, brake fluid, ps fluid, diff oil, etc. It goes through heat cycles just like any of the other fluids and does degrade causing air bubbles to be trapped in it which increases the temp of the fluid, and causes seals to swell. Once the old fluid is replaced, the seals are no longer as swollen and leaks develop. Changing the fluid before it gets to that stage prevents these leaks and other problems. Lifetime fluid only exists if you are satisfied with a 160k km life expectancy for your tranny.

That is completely wrong. Auto tranny fluid should be changed in regular intervals no different than, oil, brake fluid, ps fluid, diff oil, etc. It goes through heat cycles just like any of the other fluids and does degrade causing air bubbles to be trapped in it which increases the temp of the fluid, and causes seals to swell. Once the old fluid is replaced, the seals are no longer as swollen and leaks develop. Changing the fluid before it gets to that stage prevents these leaks and other problems. Lifetime fluid only exists if you are satisfied with a 160k km life expectancy for your tranny.

WRONG.

bmw has a specially formulated oil that they use in their tranny that they stress not be changed.

while your right about changing oil's in trannys it does not apply here.